Ulema have a responsibility to improve destiny of nation: CM Shehbaz

Says political, judicial and military leadership should decide whether to live with respect or disrespect

Declaration affirms faith in finality of Prophethood (PBUH)

LAHORE: Punjab Chief Minister (CM) Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif has said that ulema have a great responsibility to discharge, which is to improve the destiny of the nation and guide the society.

Addressing a convention of religious scholars belonging to all schools of thought at Aiwan-e-Iqbal here on Saturday, he said that religious scholars can play a great role in changing the destiny of the nation as a teacher, khateeb, aalim and mufti. He added that these scholars have a great role to play in ending confusion prevailing in the country and resolving minor religious differences in the society.

The chief minister said that every Muslim is ready to sacrifice his life for the respect of Holy Prophet (PBUH), whose message is to serve orphans, widows and distressed humanity, and forgiveness and patience.

Shehbaz said that equal distribution of wealth is also the message of Holy Prophet (PBUH) and Pakistan can become an example of love, sacrifice and justified distribution of wealth if ulema promote this message. He added that the reservations created in the society during the last few decades due to the religious hatred can be resolved by the ulema.

He said ulema should play their role in facing challenges faced by the nation by teaching the message of Holy Quran and Sunnah. He added that the Saturday’s spiritual gathering from across Pakistan and the world will spread the message of unity and harmony, and promote religious harmony and tolerance.

The CM said that unholy plots are being hatched to destroy the national unity, and in these plots, some foreign forces also have their role. He added that the US president in his tweet has taunted 210 million people of Pakistan and has insulted national integrity by calling Pakistan liar and conspirator.

The chief minister said that the people of Pakistan have given exemplary sacrifices not only for Pakistan but for the whole world, and the US president has insulted these sacrifices.

Shehbaz went on to say that on one hand, foreigners were insulting Pakistan while on the other, the politics of sit-ins started in Pakistan in 2012 were strengthening these nefarious acts. He added, “We have rendered sacrifices not for dollars but for peace in Pakistan and the whole world but we are being taunted.”

He said that political, judicial and military leadership of the country should sit together and decide that whether “we have to live a respectful or a disrespectful life”. He added, “We should work together to make Pakistan welfare state as per thoughts of Quaid-e-Azam and Allama Iqbal.”

The chief minister further stated that Rana Sanaullah presented his point of view on the finality of Prophethood (PBUH) in detail with clarity and there is no room for discussion on this topic anymore. He added, “We had detailed discussion on the respect of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) and all ulema said that due to the measures taken by the federal government, this law has been strengthened.”

He said, “Instead of giving this a political colour, we should move forward for welfare and progress of the country, and instead of creating a rift in the nation we should make the nation united and make it stronger.”

Allam Syed Riyaz Hussain Najafi said that Punjab government, under the leadership of Chief Minister Shehbaz Sharif, has taken revolutionary measures in all social sectors including education and health, which will be fruitful when there will be peace and national harmony in the society. Maulana Ilyas Chinoti said that due to timely steps taken by the government on the issue, it was resolved and the chief minister raised his voice on this matter first of all when this issue was created.

In the declaration after the convention, it was stated that the role of ulema and esteemed religious personalities in the creation and solidarity of Pakistan is a bright chapter of the history. The current situation in the country requires that ulema, religious scholars and spiritual personalities continue their basic and vital role for the unity, solidarity and religious harmony in the country and the overall law and order situation.

“We assure the whole nation through the Punjab government that ulema are well aware of requirements and needs of the defence of the country, and religious harmony and national solidarity and we are standing united along with the whole nation for this purpose,” it said.

The declaration stated, “The belief in the finality of the Prophethood (PBUH) and everlasting love for Holy Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) is the foundation of our religious identity, survival of all of us and the national solidarity. The unshakable belief in the finality of the Prophethood (PBUH) is inevitable basic part of our religion and this is also the part of the belief of people of Pakistan.”

“The current parliament and the government are ready all the time to defend this belief. The country is passing through a critical situation and we resolve to strengthen the country with patience, determination and wisdom to make it a peaceful place. We pray to Allah Almighty to defend our country and make our efforts to create unity in the Muslim fruitful,” it concluded.

Punjab Minister Rana Sanaullah, Zaeem Qadri, Syed Ali Geelani, members of Punjab Assembly, senior officers of the government of Punjab and ulema belonging to all schools of thought participated in the convention.